British Gas rolls out nationwide $18.5m smart meter programme

From 2014 the UK government will also require utility companies to replace every gas and electricity meter -53m in all across 26m households, at a cost of £450 each including the wireless monitor, reports the Times.

The £11.7bn ($18.5bn) scheme is a key part of plans to cut emissions and British Gas is launching now to get a head start on rivals. The company has already installed more than 400 000 meters.